HHS Asks for Prices of 250M More Doses of the Smallpox Vaccine

Federal health officials have requested price estimates for as many as 500 million doses of the smallpox vaccine -- two times the original amount proposed, USA Today reports. Citing an HHS "request for proposals" sent to pharmaceutical companies during the current round of negotiations, USA Today reports that the government is asking for information on the cost of an additional 250 million doses as part of an "options" clause. USA Today reports that the government would likely use the options clause to "replenish the nation's stockpile, replace expired doses or share the vaccine with other countries" facing an outbreak. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson has asked Congress for $509 million to purchase 250 million doses of the vaccine, but with bids ranging from $2 to $8 per dose, Thompson's request "may not cover" the cost, USA Today reports. HHS officials are currently negotiating with Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Baxter International, which is working with Acambis, the British company already under contract to provide 54 million doses of the smallpox vaccine. HHS declined to comment on the negotiations until contracts are awarded, a decision that could come "as early as today" (Appleby, USA Today, 11/28).